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. K4 THE 

1825 I 

opy i DIVINITY OF CHRIST; 

BEING THE SUBSTANCE 
OF 

IN WHICH 

THIS MOST IMPORTANT SUBJECT 

IS 

PLAINLY STATED, AND CLEARLY PROVED, 

BY 

NUMEROUS SCRIPTURAL CITATIONS, RATIONAL CONCLUSIONS, 
AND QUOTATIONS FROM THE ANCIENT FATHERS 
OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH : 

PREACHED IN THE METHODIST CHURCH, JOHN-STREET, 

NEW- YORK, 

On Friday, February 9, 1821, 



BY THE REV. LAURENCE KEAN ; 

u 

AND PUBLISHED FOR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
A NEfV EDITION REVISED AND CORRECTED, 



RE-PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, 

BY JOHN JONES, 40, SOUTH GREAT GEORGES-STREET- 



A 



SERMON 



ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



" TI1AT ALL MEN SHOULD HONOUR THE SON, EVEN AS THEY 
HONOUR THE FATHER," — JOHN V. 23. 

In the great concerns of our everlasting peace, Truth 
should be prized above all things, and sought with a true 
sincerity of heart, and a freedom from all partial bias of 
affection. To help us in this great work, God has given us 
the Holy Scriptures to instruct us in the things we are to 
believe, and the duties we are to practice. In the study of 
this Holy Volume, thousands have found an inexhaustible 
store, declaring that the deeper this mine was wrought, the 
richer and the more abundant they found the precious ore. 

Among the many weighty reasons which recommend the 
sacred Word, there is one of prime importance, namely, 
" It is able to make a man wise unto salvation, through faith 
in Christ." This was the mind of the great Teacher him- 
self, whose direction was, " Search the Scriptures, for they 
testify of me." Now, if there be sufficient testimonies in 
the Old Testament, to convince a conscientious Jew, haw 
much more powerful must the numerous testimonies of the 
New Testament be, to convince a conscientious Christian ? 

As the mystery of unbelief does already work, not only 
as a secret ieaven» but with open effrontery; to oppose it 
in a proper manner, may not only be salutary but season- 
able : and to neglect it, may not only be a deficiency of 
duty, but a culpable deficiency. It is the positive duty of 
genuine Christians, not only to believe with the heart unto 
righteousness, but also to make confession with the mouth 
and pen, unto salvation. They are to be armed with the 
armour of righteousness, that they may contend for the 
faith delivered to (he saints. 

The plainest observer cannot but perceive, that there 
are many professors of Christianity, who do not dig deep 
enough to find the immoveable rock, for a true founda- 
tion, on which to build their edifice. It is to be lamented 
that many are " wise above that which is written for their 
instruction,*' in consequence of which they build upon the 
sand. The effect of this must be, that when storms are 



4 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



allowed to try their solidity, they fall with an awful crash, 
and their ruins become an everlasting memorial of their 
folly. 

A well-instructed Christian believer, ought to be properly 
qualified to give a reasonable and convincing answer, to all 
such as enquire concerning his faith, and to add a suitable 
advice. One person may be the medium of great good 
to another. Naaman, a celebrated Syrian General, being 
afflicted with a leprosy, was induced by the representation 
of a little captive Israel itish maid, to solicit the help of the 
prophet Elisha, for the removal of his disease. This being 
accomplished, he determined in future, to be a worshipper 
of the true God. 

The Apostle Jude enforces a zealous contention for the 
faith, assigning as a reason, that "some men had crept in 
unawares, who denied the only Lord God, and our Saviour 
jesus Christ;" or, as it may be rendered, " the only Lord 
God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ." It must cease to 
be a wonder that religion should become the cause, or 
subject of contention, when it is considered, that as religion 
is the most important thing in the world, its votaries must 
defend its truths, and diligently labour to diffuse them also. 

The great and fundamental principles of the Christian Re- 
ligion, were not only preached by the Apostles of Christ, but 
maintained also against all opposers. The primitive Fa- 
thers of the Church had to contend with a succession of op- 
posers in their day. Such as are with, and for the Saviour 
now, must likewise lift up the voice, and employ the candid 
and convincing page, against the abomination which mak- 
eth desolate, where it is allowed to infringe, in ever so 
clandestine a manner. 

The watchmen of Israel, particularly, must not be remiss, 
or asleep, or off their post, but awake unto righteousness, 
while they strive earnestly for the faith. They must 
stand fast, in one mind, with one spirit, striving together for 
the faith of the Gospel. As Primitive Christianity had to 
undergo the fiercest trials, its votaries were instructed to 
resist with an heroic steadiness, not only the open invader, 
but the concealed and subtle adversary within. 

Errors are not only to be withstood ; but this opposition 
is to be offered in proper time. If the husbandman rely on 
appearances, and allow himself the gentle composure of 
sleep, at a time, open to inroad, the enemy will collect and 
apply his utmost powers, in sowing his tares of error, which 
will soon rise to a luxuriant growth. Easy, temporizing 
Christians, under the mask of liberality, will think very little 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



5 



of surrendering- the fundamental doctrines of their religious 
creed, being prevailed on to look only at the human nature 
of Christ, without any connexion of his Divine Nature ; 
whereas, we find the characters of Son of Man, and Son of 
God meet in the same person. 

Good effects may be expected from a candid and unpre- 
judiced discussion. Truth always has been a gainer by it, 
Its least possible good is, it will excite attention. The at- 
tacks of the enemy, whether private or public, will but eon- 
firm our faith, which, in time of danger and duty, will take 
to itself the whole armour of God, particularly the sword 
of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and which has 
gained a most glorious victory. 

The words of the Text, " That all men should honour the 
Son, even as they honour the Father, " were expressed by 
our Lord on a very particular occasion. The Son of God, 
seeing a man who had laboured under an infirmity for thirty- 
eight years, now lying at the pool of Bethesda, said to him, 
" Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." The man feeling himself 
instantaneously possessed of vigour, arose, took up his bed, 
and walked to his house. In the command which Christ gave 
to the impotent man, he spoke with an authority which be- 
longs to God only. It beingthe Jewish Sabbath, on which 
the man was restored, and the Jews perceiving him carrying 
his bed, charged him with a breach of its sanctity. To 
this the man replied, that he who made him whole, laid 
that on him as an obligation; and that it must therefore 
be no evil, as he who made him whole, could not possibly 
enjoin evil. Sometime after this, the Jews finding that 
it was Jesus, who had healed this man, sought to slay 
him, because he had done this on their Sabbath. To 
this charge Jesus answered, " My Father worketh hi- 
therto, and I work." Or, as my Father worketh hi- 
therto, so I work. He created the world in six days, 
and rested on the seventh, from creating acts : but though 
he rested from creating, he never rested from preserving 
and governing, and therefore can keep no Sabbaths 
as men do. So I work also : I am constantly engaged^ 
in the same way. In this respect I keep no Sabbath. — 
The Jews who were offended with him before, for healing 
on the Sabbath, were now wrought up to a high pitch of 
fury, and sought the more to kill him, as he made himself 
equal to God. Here our Saviour shews and declares in the 
plainest terms, that he and the Father are One. Continu- 
ing to speak, he shewed that the Father can do nothing 
without the Son, nor the Son without the Father ; and that 
whatsoever things the Father doeth the Sou doeth also. That 



6 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



whatsoever God doth, is the work of God, and proper to no 
creature. That He doth what God doth, and therefore is 
no created being. That as the Father raiseth the dead, and 
quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. 
That the Father judgeth no man, as he acts not without the 
Son ; nor the Son without the Father, their acts being com- 
mon, and their power equal. To all this, he adds, " that ail 
men should honour the Son, even as they honour the 
Father." If then the Father be honoured because he is God, so 
also must the Son, because he is God over all and blessed for 
ever. To worship a creature is idolatry. If Christ be honour- 
ed, even as the Father is honoured, he is not a creature. He 
that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father. God 
will not receive that man's adoration or worship, who re- 
fuses to honour his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, even 
as he honours himself. To make this important matter yet 
plainer,! shall shew, 

I. — What the honours are which belong to God. 

II. — That the same honours are ascribed to Christ, and 
accepted of Him, 

1st. What the honours are which belong to God. 

That there is a Supreme, Infinite, Eternal Mind, by 
whom the world was made, is evident, through all the 
series of the works of God, and as plain a proof of a creat- 
ing hand, as the house is of the builder, or the regularly laid 
out, and planted garden, is of a cultivating agent. While 
we revere his Existence and Power, and adore his Wisdom 
and Goodness, we must at the same time humbly acknow- 
ledge, that his Divine Nature and Infinite Perfections, sur- 
pass altogether the utmost extent of our comprehension. 
Sooner shall the vilest insect be able to understand the ra- 
tional mind and nature of man, who is so much above it on 
the great scale of being, than the brightest man shall find 
out to perfection the infinitely perfect an$ incomprehensi- 
ble Nature of God. But as this adorable Being has been 
pleased to declare something concerning himself, in the 
volume of divine inspiration, it is our duty to receive with 
ail possible gratitude, the important communication. 

It is of the utmost importance to rational creatures, to 
possess well founded apprehensions of the Great Supreme, 
who is the Author as weli as the Finisher of all good, whether 
private or public, angelical or human. This Great and 
Glorious Being is spoken of in the divine volume, under 
many sacred and engaging, as well as amazing characters.. 

The Scriptures every where teach us the existence of 'God, 
the great and Glorious Sovereign of the world, as an Eternal^ 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



Infinite, and intelligent Being-, subsisting in all the perfec- 
tions of Deity, from all eternity, before there was an angel 
in heaven or a man upon earth. Abraham called upon the 
name of" the Lord, the Everlasting God." Our scanty senses 
lose themselves, when they enter into the ocean of Eternity. 
Should we go back in our thoughts, as far as possible, yet 
eternity past, reaches infinitely farther : or should we ad- 
vance in a future view of this amazing matter, through 
ages of ages, we cannot reach the great subject. It is 
" without beginning, and without end." 

The Infinite Majesty is pleased, for our instruction, to be 
called Jehovah, or " the Lord." This great name signi- 
fies Being, or Existence : — He is not only essence or exist- 
ence in himself, but the fountain of existence, in whom all 
his creatures live, and move, and have their being. All 
things exist constantly in him. This Supreme and Infinite 
Being not only raised the several parts of the great system 
at first, but still preserves them, supplying from himself to 
each and to all, that measure of support which he sees to 
be necessary. Should he but suspend his supporting 
influence, all things would be at an immediate stand, and 
sink into an universal pause. 

Infinitely happy in himself, it seemed good to this Great 
and Glorious God, by the word of his Omnipotent Power, 
to command the stately fabric of the world to exist, and to 
exert his Infinite Perfections in the establishment of the 
whole, as well as in the disposition and endowment of its 
several parts. 

The same Infinite and Almighty Power, who had pre- 
viously given existence to angels and archangels, heavenly 
intelligences of different orders and offices, now thought it 
well to create the originals of the human race, giving them 
their place upon earth, qualifying them to know, love, 
and acknowledge their great Creator, in the displays of his 
infinite Wisdom, Power and Goodness, as they manifestly 
appeared in the creation, contrivance, and government of 
the world. 

The Omniscience of God comprehends his infinitely full, 
clear, and perfect knowledge of all things, in ail their 
various parts, and without any exception. It knows and 
ponders all affections and dispositions of the mind, as well 
as all the various parts of the life and conduct. To this Eye 
of Omniscience, the darkness of midnight is as clear as the 
brightest light of high noon. The most retired secrets of 
the hearts are as obvious as the plainest facts to the clearest 
sight. 



8 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRfSTi 



The Omnipresence of God, implies, that where any thing 
is, or subsists,, there lie is ; and that He is every where. 
The comparative terms of near and distant, are altogether 
alike to him. He not only exists in heaven and earth, but 
fills them with his Universal Presence. He is above us, be- 
neath us, around us, within us, and without us. How con- 
soling to the faithful ! and, how formidable to the wicked ! 

The flFtsdom of God is Immeasurable. He designs and 
contrives every thing He does, in the best manner, and for 
the best purposes. This Wisdom is displayed throughout 
the whole creation. He chooses the best means to accom- 
plish the best ends. This Wisdom is equally observable in 
the preservation of all things, and in the government of the 
whole. 

God is so Infinitely Powerful that He can do whatsoever 
He pleases, either with or without means. He has an infi- 
nite power of action, so that with him nothing is impossible, 
that does not imply a contradiction* as to sin, or to be igno- 
rant. He has a right of absolute power and dominion 
over ail the world, through all ages and periods of time* 
even for 14 Ever and Ever." 

His Infinite Goodness is constantly employed in doing 
and diffusing good, in wide and flowing streams, over all 
his numerous works. He has given the most convincing 
evidences of his Goodness, in numberless instances. The 
regular conveyance of light and heat from the sun, as well 
as of moisture from the clouds to the earth, must be acknow- 
ledged as the causes of the immense variety of productions 
on its surface, which subsist the millions of its inhabitants, 
giving them food when hungry, drink when thirsty, and 
refreshment when weary. 

God is Holy, and addressed by angelical adoration, as 
Holy! Holy! Holy! that is, thrice, or superlatively Holy. He 
is Holy beyond all conception, as well as beyond all descrip- 
tion. He is so Holy, that he can neither sin himself, nor be 
the author or promoter of sin in others ; it being directly 
contrary and contradictory to his Nature. He is the infinite 
Source and Fountain of all Purity and Perfection, 

He is so Just and Biffhteous, as to punish every sin that is 
Committed, either directly and immediately, or at some future^ 
period, if unrepented of. By this divine Attribute, he will 
render to every man according to his deeds; particularly 
in that great day in which he will decide the states of all 
mankind. When the sacred history records a judgment or 
punishment, inflicted on an individual or nation, it generally 
Eecords moral evil as the cause of it. 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



9 



God is not only Just and Righteous ; but also Merciful 
and Gracious. Mercy towards men, is his favourite Attri- 
bute. He manifests himself in the most endearing terms to 
penitent sinners, as " Merciful, Gracious, slow to Anger, 
of great Kindness, pardoning Iniquity, Transgression and 
Sin." He remits the everlasting punishment of sin to the 
truly penitent, and washes away its stains by his Sanctifying 
Grace. 

Loveis so essential to the Nature of God, that He is 
called " Love " The Love of God is immense, beyond 
all heights and depths. It is variously applied to our se- 
veral conditions. When it refers to the Majesty of God, 
and our unworthiness, it is called Grace. When it rsfers 
to the kind and tender share He takes in our misery, it is 
called Compassion. If it respect the creature in deep dis- 
tress, and quite helpless, it is called Mercy. If it wait 
long before it inflict chastisement, it is called long-suffering. 
But Love is all, and in all. 

Truth is an Attribute of Jehovah. Heaven and earth 
shall sooner pass away, than one jot or tittle, or particle, 
shall pass from his Word of Truth, until all its meaning be 
fulfilled in number, and weight, and measure. His declara- 
tions are not yea and nay, or certainty and uncertainty, 
but " Yea and Amen, for Ever.'' 

All possible Respect and Love, and Esteem, are due to this 
great and glorious God, who is our Creator, Preserver, and 
Benefactor. The heart, and soul, and mind, and strength 
are to be devoted to his service. The thoughts, and words, 
and actions, are to be one entire offering to Him. 

Honour is another word for that homage, reverence, so- 
lemn awe, and adoration, which are due to God, as the 
great Creator, Ruler, and Governor of the world. A Pro- 
phet expresses it by a similitude, thus, '* If I be a Father, 
where is my honour V It implies and comprehends the 
outward reverence of the body, and the inward affection 
of the mind. It means, that we fear His Power, dread His 
displeasure, believe His Truth, rely on His Faithfulness, and 
obey His will, and commands. Hence, to honour God as 
our heavenly Exemplar, is to imitate Him in a comparative 
manner, however humble, by purifying ourselves, as He is 
pure ; being perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect. In 
a moral conformity of our conduct to His, we shall honour 
him, and be acknowledged as the children of our Heavenly 
Father. To honour God, is to submit with a patient resig- 
nation to every stroke of his Providence, as the Righteous 
Governor of the world. " It is the Lord, let Him do 

B 



10 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



whatsoever seemeth good in His sig;ht." To honour God, 
is to confide in Him, and fix the attachment of the soul to 
Him, so as to allow neither height, nor depth, nor any 
other creature to separate us from Him. 

II. — I shall shew, that the same Honours are repeatedly- 
addressed to Christ, and accepted of Him. 

Some wonder why the Apostle John dwells so much 
upon the Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle 
himself answers the query in the most expressive, as well 
as remarkable words, " These things are written that ye 
might believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that 
believing, ye might have eternal life/' 

Though the declaration of God be, that He is " One," 
yet He declares at the same time, that He subsists after a 
wonderful and mysterious manner, inasmuch as He sub- 
sists without separation or confusion, under three distinct, 
adorable Persons, of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Some 
short-sighted mortals may have effrontery to ask him, 
«« Why subsistest thou thus ?" But shall the thing formed 
dare to speak even on a lower scale, 44 Why hast thou made 
me thus?" As high as heaven is above earth, so are His 
ways above our ways. 

God) or the Infinitely Good, is a Name sacred to the 
Great Supreme. The same character is repeatedly applied 
to our Lord Jesus Christ. 44 The Word was with God, 
and the Word was God," John i. 1. He is the 4 • Mighty 
God," Isaiah ix. 6. « The true God, 1 John v. 20. 44 Our 
Great God and Saviour," Titus ii. 13. " God over all," 
Rom. ix. 5. " The fulness of the Godhead," Col. ii. 9. 
< 4 God laid down his life for us, 1 John iii. 16. " The 
Church of God is to be fed, which He bought with His own 
Blood," Acts xx. 28. Thomas addressed Him, with, "My 
Lord, and my God !" He was 44 God manifested in the 
flesh," 1 Tim. iii. 16. 44 To the Son, He saith, Thy throne, 
O God, is for Ever and Ever," Heb. i. 8. 

Equality with God, is a claim justly due to Him : 6i He 
thought it no robbery to be equal with God," Phil. ii. 6. 
The Jews said, " He made Himself equal with God," John 
v. 18. Our Lord said, 44 I and My Father are One." — 
The words of Christ are expressed without exception : 44 All 
\ things that the Father hath are mine." He is the 44 Bright- 
ness of the Father's Glory, and the Express Image of his 
Person," Heb. i. 3. Can words be plainer than, 44 He that 
hath seen Me, hath seen the Father." 44 Our fellowship," 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST* 



II 



said an Apostle, " is with the Father, and with His Son 
Jesus Christ." His words are most express on this head, 
"Ye believe in God, believe also in Me." 

Whatever Christ did for us > was done by Divine and 
Infinite Condescension, in descending vastly beneath Him- 
self. He was by Nature above all created Beings. By choice 
He made Himself lower than the lowest of men. By Nature, 
" He was in the Form of God, and thought it no robbery 
to be equal with God ; but he made Himself of no reputa- 
tion, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and 
was made in the likeness of men ; and being found in 
fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obe- 
dient unto death, even the death of the Cross.*' Here, the 
natural Dignity of Christ plainly appears; for if he was 
not better than a servant, before he became a servant, his 
being a servant was his lot, and condition, and not his 
choice, and therefore no proof of humility or condescen- 
sion. He was in the Form of God, before He took the like- 
ness of men-, and therefore this Form of God does not 
belong to Him, in virtue of anything He suffered. This 
Glory is ascribed to Him, as His Natural Perfection, and 
not as any acquired honour. Originally, " He was the 
Image of the Invisible God ; all things being created by 
Him, and for Him, He being before all things." Though, 
" higher than the Angels, He became a little lower than the 
Angels." Here we see that though by nature higher than 
the Angels, yet by condescension He became lower, in 
order to redeem us. Gr still plainer, though originally 
" in the form of God, he made Himself of no reputa- 
tion, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, in 
the likeness of man." The Apostle John in speaking of 
his Eternal and Inherent Power, ascribes the Creation 
of all Things to Him: and the Apostle Paul, speaking 
of the same Power, ascribes to It the Preservation of 
ail things. If Christ thought it no robbery to be equal 
with God, then He certainly possessed such an equality ; 
for where is the humility of not insisting on an equa- 
lity which never belonged to Him? To arrogate, or 
lay claim to suoh a power, would, in a mere creature, 
be the utmost pitch of pride and madness. Christ laid 
aside the glory which he originally had with his Father. 
He changed a Glorious, for an inglorious condition. 
The Glorious Condition which he possessed, was the 
"Form of God," and the inglorious condition, to which 
he stooped was the "Form of man." The words of 
the Apostle are very express here. " Look not every 



12 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



man to his own things, but also to the things of others ; 
and for this purpose, let the mind be in you, which 
was also in Christ Jesus." As if he had said, "The 
form of God, and equality with God, were the origi- 
nal possessions of Christ, and therefore His own things ; 
but for our sakes, He condescended to become man, 
and to stoop to poverty, pain, and death. Without 
taking this to be the meaning of the Apostle, the pre- 
cept and example adduced, cannot meet in the same point. 
Of Christ, it is said, that in his condescension, in laying 
aside the Divine Glory, " He took not on Him the nature 
of angels." He must have been superior to angels, or he 
could not have passed by their nature, to assume the nature 
of man. He had, before he came into the world, the true 
and proper Glories of the Divinity, which are communica- 
ble to no creature. Now, if the " Form of manhood," 
which Christ assumed, be, in reality, human nature, and 
the infirmities of that nature ; then the Glories which he 
laid aside, must have belonged to his Divine Nature. The 
Apostle makes an amazing difference between the Origi- 
nals, States, and Natures of Adam and of Christ. " The 
first man is of the earth, earthy; the second Man is the 
Lord from Heaven." The first Adam knew it to be rob- 
bery to attempt to make himself equal with God, and felt se- 
verely for reducing it to practice. The Second Adam thought 
it to be no robbery : yet, such was his condescension, that 
« He humbled himself, and emptied himself for us." Even 
as a Man, in the state to which, Christ humbled himself, the 
Apostle gives us another distinct instance of his Humility ; 
namely, 41 He became obedient unto death." Though he 
became Man, yet being Lord of Ail Things, it was always 
in his power, as he himself has told us, " To take up his 
life, and to lay it down " Saint Paul must allude to this 
Power, when speaking of those who put Christ to death ; 
he tells us, that " they killed the Lord of Life." This ex- 
pression likewise occurs in Peter's sermon, who tell us, 
that while on earth, and clothed with human flesh and 
blood, He was the " Lord of Life, and upholding all things 
by the word of His Power." He was superior to the weak- 
ness of human nature, and subject to death, only because 
he chose to die. When Christ of his own Divine con- 
descension, completed the Redemption of the World, then 
it was thought proper, to make known, the Glory which 
He had before the World began. 

Jehovah, or Lord, (which signifies the Self-Existent, and 
Absolutely Independent) is another title of Deity, repeatedly 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



piven to Christ. John the Baptist was "sent before the Lord, 
to prepare His way," Lukei. 76. He was " The Lord God 
who was to feed his flock as a shepherd." Isaiah, ix. 6. 
His common characters, are, 44 the Lord, — the Lord Jesus 
Christ — our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." When he 
was about to visit our world, the divine command was 
44 Prepare ye the way of the Lord " Paul stiles him 44 the 
Lord of Glory." John denominates him 44 King of Kings, 
and Lord of Lords." He is the 44 Lord from heaven — the 
Lord our righteousness." He who was born at Bethlehem, 
was 44 Christ the Lord." Thomas exclaimed, 44 My Lord !" 
as well as 44 My God !" 

Eternity is the Attribute of Deity. This character is re- 
peatedly attributed to Christ. 44 He was in the beginning 
with God, John i. 1. He was without beginning of days or 
end of years. — He could say, Before Abraham was, I am. — 
He was the root as well as the offspring of David. — He was 
in the Form of God, before he assumed the Form of Man. 
Phil.ii. 6. — He was Rich before he became Poor. — His 
riches were of the heavenly character, for, He passed by the 
nature of Angels before he assumed the nature of Man. — 
The glory to which he will exalt his faithful people, is, a 
glory which He had wiih his Father before the World was. — 
In truth, He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and 
the End, the First, and the Last." 

Omniscience is another of the claims of the Son of God. 
" Lord," said Peter, 44 Thou knowest all things," John xxi. 
17. Our Saviour put a question to Peter, three times, in 
allusion to Peter's threefold denial of his Master. Peter 
makes the reference to Christ himself, 44 Lord, thou know- 
est all things, thou knowest that I love thee :" plainly ac- 
knowledging that all things, even the most hidden secrets 
of the heart, are known to him. Jesus would not trust 
himself with the Jews, for, 44 He knew what was in man." 
The language of his Disciples to him was, 44 Now we are 
sure that thou knowest all things." His own words are, 
44 I am he who searcheth the heart, and reins." Rev. ii. 23. 
Jesus knows all men and all things, because He is the Om- 
niscient God. 

Omnipresence, belongs to Christ as God, and is claimed 
by Him, and ascribed to Him. His own express words are, 
44 Where two or three are gathered together in my name, 
there ain I in the midst," Mat. xviii 20. None but God 
could say these words with truth, because God alone is 
present every where. The promise and declaration of 
Christ state, that if millions of religious assemblies ? were 



14 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



collected in the same moment, in different parts of the 
world, (a possible case,) Jesus is essentially present in 
each of them. Could any person say these words with 
truth, except that God who fills both heaven and earth I The 
Lord Jesus makes this declaration, and gives this promise, 
and therefore He can be no less than God. His language 
directed to each in particular, is, " Behold, I stand at the 
door and knock : if any man hear my voice, and open the 
door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with, 
sne*" Rev. iii. 20. In sending- forth his Apostles to publish 
Ms Gospel, his consoling and supporting promise 
was no less than, " La, I am with you always, even 
to the end of the world," Matt, xxviii. 20. This is no 
less than a promise of his immediate presence and inSuence, 
to his ministers and people to the end- 
Is God the Unchangeable? The very same Perfection m 
ascribed to Christ. The Apostle Paul assures us, that 
" Jesus Christ is the Same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever." 
Heb. xiii. 8. The same Apostle applies to Christ," Thou 
art the Same, and thy years fail not." All other beings are 
changeable, because temporal : only He who is Eternal, 
can continue for ever the Same. There is in the Divine 
Duration, no circle to be run, no space to be measured, no 
time to be reckoned. While other things shall be dissolved 
at the end of a certain period, waxing old as a garment, 
Christ is Eternally and Invariably the Same. 

Does Incomprehensibility belong to God ? It likewise 
belongs to Christ. " No man, fully knoweth the Son, but 
the Father," Matt- xi. 27. As no Person can fully and 
completely comprehend the Nature and Attributes of God„ 
but his Son Jesus Christ; so no Person can fully eompre* 
hend the Nature of Jesus Christ, but the Father. The full 
comprehension of the Godhead, or of the mystery of the 
Most Holy Trinity, belongs to God alone. Though Moses 
and others heard the voice of God, and saw the cloud, and 
the fire which were symbols of his presence, yet the great 
manifestation was made by " the only begotten Son, who 
dwelt in the bosom of the Father, declaring Him," John 
i. 18. It ism the face of Jesus only, that we see the light of 
the glcry of God. 

Creation is plainly, and positively, and repeatedly attri- 
buted to Christ. " All things were made by Him ; and with- 
out Him was not anything made that was made." John i. 3. 
" By Him were all things created, that are in heaven or 
earth, whether they be thrones or principalities or powers, 
ail were created by Him, and far Him." An Apostle ap- 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 15 

plies to Christ the creation of the world, in the words, 
«' Thou, Lord, in the beginning, hast laid the foundation of 
the earth, and the heavens are the works of thy hands." 
When the Creator was about to make man, the language in 
which the determination is couched, is remarkable ; " Let 
Us make man." There are more instances of a similar kind. 
" Behold, man is become like one of Us — Let Us go down 
and confound their language — Whom shall We send ?" 
When God makes use of plural forms of speech, or of num- 
bers not purely singular, is He addressing His Angels ? Or 
shall we adopt the solution of the best and wisest exposi- 
tions, " that in the Unity of the Divine Essence, there is a 
Trinity of Persons, co-equal and co-eternal 1 It is no small 
satisfaction to true Christians, to know, that the God of 
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is their God ; and that, while 
they adore this God in Three Persons, and give glory to 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, they do as it was in the be- 
ginning, is now, and shall be evermore." 

A Miraculous Act, by his Own Power, is the work of God, 
The Miraculous Acts of Christ are numerous. He could say 
to the raging sea, " Be still ;" and immediately there was a 
calm. To a leper, " Be clean ;" to a corpse in its grave 
clothes, " Arise ;" to an infirm man, " Take up thy bed 
and walk ;" to a legion of devils, "Depart;" to a fever, 
" Retire ;" and to the dead, " Come forth." These divine 
commands were no sooner repeated, than fulfilled. " He has 
all power in heaven and earth." Surely no Being but God, 
could be equal to such works as these, and many others, 
which were performed by the Lord Jesus. 

Is God the Dispenser of all Good? so is Christ. 
** Unto every one of us, is given grace according to the 
measure of the gift of Christ, Ephes. iv 7. He could say to 
his Apostles, " Receive ye the Holy Ghost," John xx. 22, 
When his Apostles returned from the Mission on which he 
had sent them, they could declare, " Lord, even the devils 
are subject to us, through Thy Name." An Apostle assures 
us, that 44 of His fulness have we all received — and grace for 
grace." One of His numerous and valuable gifts to his 
sheep, is, " Eternal Life ; and they shall never perish." 
His reply to an Apostle petitioning for help, was, " My 
grace is sufficient, and my strength is made perfect in weak- 
ness." The Apostle Paul relying upon the aids of Christ 
in his various trials and difficulties, adds, " Most gladly, 
therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the 
Power of Christ may rest upon me." The same Lord whose 
Gospel he sincerely, affectionately and constantly preached, 
was Paul's trust in the hour of infirmity and affliction. 



16 A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 

To worship God is his due. Worship of the most spiri- 
tual kind, is due to Christ, as he is " The True God." The 
Martyr, Stephen, committed his soul in death to Him, 
with, " Lord Jesus receive my spirit." Here is a most 
manifest proof of prayer offered to the Lord Jesus, and 
that at a most solemn period ; namely, when a public 
teacher, filled with the Holy Ghost, is about to breathe 
his last. Prayer is one of the highest acts of Worship, 
which can be offered to God. Now, if Stephen had not 
a most positive certainty that Jesus Christ was the true 
God, he could not have committed his soul to him in the 
awful hour of death. The Prophet Joel tells us, that, 
" Whosoever will call on the name of the Lord, shall be 
saved." This declaration the Apostle Paul understands, 
as alluding to the Lord Jesus Christ, Rom. x. 13. Gne 
Epistle is directed, " To all that in every place call on the 
Name of the Lord Jesus, theirs and ours." Saul of Tarsus had 
authority from the high priests to bind all that " called on 
the Name of Jesus." When Paul preached the Faith of 
Christ, his hearers asked, " Is not this he that persecuted 
all that called on this Name." In the Epistle to the Romans, 
the Apostle tells us, that the " Lord Jesus is rich to all who 
call upon his Name." Can words be plainer? Their im- 
port is obvious to all. 

By Baptism in His Name, persons are devoted to the 
service of Christ, as God. Persons devote their children in 
Baptism, to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Our Lord him- 
self commands this form as a standing ordinance in his 
Church. When He sent his Apostles among the Jews, and 
also among the Gentiles, this was a distinct part of their 
commission. He gave the power of working miracles as 
the test of their commission : a plain proof that He was 
with them in what they taught and did. 

Forgiveness of Sins is another honour, to which the Son 
of God lays an acknowledged claim. When they brought 
to Jesus, a man sick of the palsy, lying on abed, " He, seeing 
their faith, said to the sick man, Son, be of good cheer, thy 
sins be forgiven thee. Certain scribes who were present 
said within themselves, this man blasphemeth. But Jesus 
knowing their thoughts, said, Wherefore think ye evil in 
your hearts? For, whether is it easier to say, thy sins be 
forgiven, or to say, arise and walk ? But that ye may know 
the Son of Man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, He 
saith to the sick of the palsy, arise, take up thy bed, and 
goto thy house : and he arose and departed to his house," 
Matt. ix. 1, 7. Moral Evil has been the source of all the 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



17 



natural Evil in the world. Christ goes to the root of the 
malady, which is Sin. It was a maxim among the Jews, 
that no diseased person could be healed, until his Sins were 
blotted out, according to Psalm cii>, 3, " Who forgiveth all 
thine iniquities, and healeth all thy diseases." Here is the 
most manifest proof of the power of Christ. The Poor 
Man's Sins were pardoned, the secret thoughts of the 
Scribes, discerned, and the paralytic restored in an instant 
to perfect soundness of body. The Blessed Jesus said to 
another Sinner, Thy Sins, which are many, be all for- 
given/' The exhortation of an Apostle, was, <c Forgive 
one another, as Christ forgave you." One of our great 
privileges, is, "Redemption in His Blood, even the for- 
giveness of Sins." 

Benediction in the name of the Lord Jesus, is another of 
his honours, which his Apostles pay to Him, with one har- 
monious accord. The Apostle Paul's general Benediction 
was, " Grace be unto you. and Peace from God the Father, 
and from the Lord Jesus Christ." Sometimes it is, " The 
Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." To the 
Corinthians, the Benediction is* " The Grace of our Lord; 
Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the Fellowship of the 
Holy Ghost, be with you all." In Writing to the Seven 
Churches of Asia, the language of John, is, " The Grace of 
our Lord Jesus Christ be with you All, Amen." As if he 
had said, May the Favour, and the Divinely powerful In- 
fluence of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, through every 
period, and under every circumstance of your trials in the 
present state of probation, and prepare you for a state of 
Everlasting approbation in Heaven. 

Faith, or, Trustin Christ, is a Divine Honour due toHim, 
His words are, " Ye believe in God : Believe also in me," 
John xiv. 1. When the people asked, 44 What shall we do 
to be saved ?" the immediate Answer was, 44 Believe in the 
Lord Jesus Christ." He who belie veth in Christ, shall 
not be ashamed or confounded. ** Believing in Christ, we 
have Eternal Life." 

Christ is the Object of our Hope, as well as of our Faith. 
He is to us, as well as 44 in us, the Hope of Glory." JS T o 
man can possess a rational Hope of Glory, except the per- 
son whose Sins are Pardoned, and his nature Sanctified, 
by the indwelling of this Holy Presence. One of the Pro- 
mises attached to the Dispensation of Christ, is, that 44 He is 
the Hope of Israel," and that 44 In His name shall the Gen^ 
tiles trust.'' 

Love to Christ, is another of the Honours due to Him. 
The Apostle was so convinced of thecLiim of Christ to o\xi 

C 



A SE&MON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



Love, that he asks, " Who shall separate us from the Love 
of Christ ?" Rom. viii. 35. How strong is the language of 
the Apostle on this head? " Shall Tribulation, or Distress, 
or Persecution, or Famine, or Peril, or Sword, be able to 
separate us from the Love of Christ ?' ? Were all these things 
combined, and allowed to exert their united force on the 
Christian, they ought not to separate him from the Love of 
Christ. Christians, in Deed and in Truth, are such as 
" Love our Lord Jesus Christ, in Sincerity." The Apostle 
Paul tells us, that if we seriously consider our Infinite Obli- 
gation, " The Love of Christ is sufficient to constrain us." 

Divine Praise is due to Christ and accepted of Him. The 
Language of Heaven itself, is, " That all men should Honour 
the Son, even as they Honour the Father — Worthy is the 
Lamb to receive Power and Riches, and Wisdom and 
Strength, and Honour, and Glory, and Blessing. — Unto 
Him that Loved us, and Washed us from our Sins in His 
own Blood, and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God, 
be Glory and Honour* for Ever and Ever. — Blessing and 
Honour, and Glory and Power, unto Him that Sitteth upon 
the Throne, for Ever and Ever." The universality of the 
Praise and Glory, is seen, in being ascribed to the Son of 
God, by every creature in Heaven and Earth, Ten thousand 
times Ten thousand, and Thousands of Thousands ; that is, 
Myriads of Myriads, and Chiliads of Chiliads, join with one 
General and Harmonious Voice, in acknowledging that 
Christ is worthy to have Omnipotent Power, Infinite Wis- 
dom, Honour, and Praise, and glory, and Blessing, ascribed 
to Him. Here the whole Creation Joins in one Universal 
Acclamation of Praise to Christ, as Infioitely worthy of 
Universal Homage. 

A Day of Public Worship is devoted to the service of 
Christ the Lord. It is called, "The Lord's Day." 
John was u in the Spirit on the Lord's Day," Rev. i. 
10. This Day became the Christian Sabbath at an early 
period of the Church of Christ, because on this first Day, 
4< The Lord Jesus arose from the Dead." On this Day the 
Primitive Christians met together, to hear the Gospel of 
Peace, and to break the Sacramental Bread. Acts xx. 7. 
On the Lord's Day a contribution was made in the different 
Churches for the relief of the Poor. 1 Cor. xvi. 2. In pro- 
portion as God had prospered them, they Shared and Dis- 
pensed to their Poor Brethren. The Lord's Day has been 
peculiarly owned of God, throughout the World. He is 
therefore worthy of All possible Honour, to Whom this 
Day has been Devoted. 

Did God confer extraordinary powers on His ancient 
Prophetic Servants ? So did our Lord Jesus Christ on His 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST, 



19 



Apostles. By this gift of the Lord Jesus, One could say, 
44 In the name of Jesus Christ, Arise and Walk" ; — Another 
could say, 44 T command thee, in the name of Jesus, to 
come out of her." This sanative ability could empower 
Paul to say, " Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole." 
They spoke with strange tongues which they never learned. 
The good effect of the Miraculous Powers bestowed by 
Christ on His Apostles, was the Conversion of several 
thousands, w T ho submitted willingly to be Baptized in the 
Name of Jesus, and to profess the Faith of the Gospel. 

As the Father is the Great Preserver, so the Son, who is 
the Brightness of the Father's Glory, and the Express 
Image of His Person, 44 Upholdeth all things by the Word 
of His Power," Heb. i. 3. The Hebrews, to whom the 
Apostle wrote this Epistle, could not but understand from 
this passage, and many others, that Paul taught and en- 
forced the Doctrine of Christ's Divinity, as the great pre- 
server of the universal system. 

As God enlightens the minds of men with Spiritual Dis- 
cernment, so, " Christ enlightens every man that cometh 
into the World," John i. 9. A Heavenly ray of Divine 
light is afforded by our Lord Jesus Christ, to convince men 
of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment Christ is the " True 
Light." He has given us the Superior Light of the Gospel, 
and therefore justly expects that we shall not walk in the 
Darkness of Ignorance, or in the Shadow of Death. 

The Great and Final Judgment, which shall decide the 
states and conditions of all mankind, is another of the 
Honours of Christ. Here also Reappears as God, who knows 
the Secrets of the heart, as well as the Acts of the life of every 
man. In this Judgment, 44 The Dead, small and great, are 
to stand before God;" a plain proof of the Divinity of the 
Great Judge. We shall AH stand before the Judgment 
Seat of Christ : as it is written, 44 Every knee shall bow to 
me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Who but 
God, can Collect and Weigh, and Scrutinize and Decide, 
on every Thought, Word, and Work, in their various Cha- 
racters, Nature, Meaning, and Consequences ? 

Every thing attached to Christ, is of the most extraordi- 
nary kind. Is he to be born ? A Virgin is to conceive 
and bear a Son." The inquiry of wise men from the East, 
is, " Where is He who is born the King of the Jews ; for 
we have seen His Star in the East, and are come to Worship 
Him." His names are, Emmanuel, or 44 God with us." 
Jesus, or 44 The Saviour," is another of the names of Christ 
the Lord. Angels announce the birth of a Saviour, 44 who 
is Christ the Lord." When Simeon, an ancient servant of 

c 2 



20 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



God, embraced Him, his language was, "Lord now lettest 
thou thy servant depart in peace? according to thy Word, 
for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation." When John the 
Baptist beheld His approach, his direction to the People, 
was, " Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the Sin 
of the World." 

In ail His high transactions, this Great Redeemer had a 
special eye to our Good. When He condescended to 
assume Human Nature, the language of the Prophet is, 
Iff To Us a Child is Born, a Son is given." For Us, men, He 
stooped so low, as, * e not to have a House of His own." 
Though He was Rich," yet for our sakes He became Poor. " 
When He condscended to suffer Death, " He died for our 
Sins, and rose again for our Justification." 

The great Apostle of the Gentiles, did not look to Christ, 
merely as an Illustrious and Innocent Sufferer, but also as 
an Almighty Saviour. Hence He sanctifies every relation by 
the Name of Christ. He is, " an Apostle of Christ." Does 
He lay a foundation for Faith, and Hope, and Comfort? 
He declares that no other Foundation can be Jaid, but, 
"Christ Jesus the Lord." Hence he assures u«, that, 
" There is no other Name by which a man can be saved, 
but Jesus Christ the Lord." The Name of Jesus as the 
Almighty Saviour, occurs more thap five hundred times, 
in the Epistles of this Apostle. 

In every view, the Blessed Jesus rises infinitely above 
mere Human Nature. As a Teacher, " He brought Life and 
Immortality to Light — His Words were Grace and Truth — 
He Spake as never man Spake — He Spoke as one who had 
Authority, and not as 1he Scribes an,d Pharisees." This is 
clearly visible, not only in what He said, but in what He 
did also, giving the clearest proofs that, " He had All 
Power, both in Heaven and Earth " 

The peculiar Doctrines of the New Testament, are, that 
there subsists in the One Undivided Godhead, a Trinity of 
Persons— the Incarnation of the Second Person for our 
sakes— the Expiation of Sin, by His Sufferings and Death—- 
the Efficacy of His Intercession as our Ad vocate in Heaven 
—the Sanctifying Influences of the Holy Spirit, as our 
Comforter and Guide— the Necessity of Believing in Christ 
as our Redeemer-— that an Inward Life of Faith, should be 
attended with an Outward Life of Piety— that a Life of 
trial here, shall be followed by a never ending Life of 
Glory. 

The Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, is altogether 
unlike Human Generation. The Old Testament Prophecy, 
is, " I will put enmity between thee and the woman, an4 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



between thy seed and her seed," Gen. v. 15„ The Lord 
said to Isaac, " In thy seed, shall the Nations of the Earth 
be Blessed," Gen. xxvi 4. 44 There shall come a Star out 
of Jacob, and a Sceptre out of Israel," Numb. xxiv. 17, 
44 The Lord thy God, shall raise thee up a Prophet from 
the midst of thee," Deut. xviii. 15. 44 For unto us a Child, 
is Born, and a Son is given," Isaiah ix. 6. 44 Behold a 
a Virgin shall Conceive and bear a Son, and Bis Name 
shall be Immanuel, — I will raise up to David a Branch," 
Jer. xxiii. 6. "I will raise up for them a Plant of Renown," 
Ezek. xxxiv. 20. 44 But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though 
thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of 
thee shall come forth unto me, He that is to be Ruler in 
Israel, and whose goings forth of Old have been from Ever- 
lasting." Micahv.2, 

Though the Evangelist Matthew begins his Gospel with 
the Generation of Jesus Christ, according to the flesh, as the 
Son of David, who was the Son or descendant of Abraham; 
yet he speaks of it, as personally united with His Divine 
Nature, and having the fulness of the Godhead resident m 
it. This indwelling of the Godhead, gave a Truth and Pro- 
priety to this Holy Child, being called 44 the Son of God." 
Though the Human Nature of Christ was as perfect as 
any human being, yet it never did subsist, but in personal 
union with His Divine Nature. 

As God has afforded us a Divine Revelation, to be the 
great rule of our Faith and Practice, it is our duty to sub- 
mit to its dictates, with all possible humility. Shall weak 
short-sighted man presume to say, 44 If I find the Truths of 
Revelation, correspond with my notions of what is Right 
and Fit, I will admit them ; but if not, I will not acknow- 
ledge them. If the Word of Revelation be thus pared down 
to the puny dimensions of Reason, he renders it of no effect. 

The Scriptures are the great test, by which all claims of 
Christ to the Divine Nature, Honours, and Attributes of 
God are to be examined. We must not model and explain 
its mysteries by our own private notions and analogies. He 
who will not content himself with the Scriptural account 
of those Mysteries, on the certainty of His Word, whose 
Declaration is as sure as demonstration, will never receive 
the least Information from any other quarter. He who 
will not believe them upon the Declaration of Truth itself, 
until he can perfectly comprehend them, by the Narrow 
and Restricted Powers of Human Reason, will not believe, 
44 until he hath measured the Waters of the Ocean in the 
hollow of his hand." Shall man, who cannot perfectly 



22 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



comprehend the nature of the smallest insect, hope, " to 
find out the Almighty to perfection. " 

Christ declared in very plain language, that " No man 
hath ascended up into heaven but Fie who came down from 
heaven, even the Son of Man who is in heaven," John hi. 
13. These words were spoken by Him between his Incar- 
Bation and His Ascension, which must plainly shew, that 
though he here calls Himself the Son of Man, yet the act 
of coming down from heaven is to be understood of his 
Divine Nature, in respect to which, he was in heaven, as 
well as on earth. Christ did not bring His human Nature 
down from heaven, and therefore he could not allude to 
this, but to that Nature which He possessed originally. 

That Christ possessed a Divine Nature, appears very 
plainly from John x. 30. " I and my Father are one," in 
which sense, He is one with His Father. This is equally 
evident from his discourses with the Jews, when they ob^ 
served to him, " For a good work we stone thee not, but 
for blasphemy, and because that thou, being a man, makes! 
thyself God," John x. 33. He had called God his Father, 
and declared that He was the Son of God, and this they 
called blasphemy. 

When our Saviour had a mind to express the Unity of 
happiness which His disciples were to enjoy in the heavenly 
kingdom, He makes use of very expressive words, " That 
they may be one, as We are," John xvii. 11. Again, He 
says, " Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also 
who shall believe on Me through their word ; that they ail 
may be One, as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee,, 
that they also may be one in Us,'' John xvii. 20, 21. 

It was because Christ claimed true and proper Divinity 
to Himself, that the Jews put Him to death. 'J he Sanhe- 
drim condemned Him to death, because, as they said, " he 
being a man, made himself God. Now, if the Jews, who 
heard his declarations, laid to his charge those high claims, 
why did he not undeceive his accusers and judges, by shew- 
in jj them that they were mistaken, and that when he spoke 
of Himself as the Son of God, he only meant, that he was a 
good man, or a prophet, or a child of Abraham ? Why did 
he bear the charge of blasphemy, on account of their misr 
take, and not tell them that He became the Son of God by 
Creation only, or Incarnation, or Adoption? He did not 
contradict their opinion concerning His being the Son of 
God, but suffered the punishment of the Cross, for his per- 
sisting in the justice of His claim. 

That Christ possessed a Divine Nature, appears'from; 
Rom. viii. 3 9 « God sending his Son in the likeness of sin- 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. fS 

ful flesh." Here his Divinity is spoken of as prior to his 
coming in the likeness of sinful flesh. This is evident also 
from 1 John iii. 8, " For this purpose was the Son of God 
manifested, that he might destroy the works of the Devil." 
While the Apostle John says, that " the Son of God was 
manifested ;" the Apostle Paul says, it was " God mani- 
fested in the flesh," 1 Tim. iii. 16. 

In the Epistle to the Colossians, the Apostle declares 
that "Christ is the Image of the Invisible God." This is 
equal to what he calls " The express Image of his Person," 
that by Him were all things created, and for His pleasure — 
that He is before all things." Now, if creating all Things 
be a proof of His Omnipotence, His being previous to all 
Things must shew us that he is Eternal. 

The words of Christ are very plain to this effect, "Fa- 
ther, thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the World," 
John xvii. 24. Since the Father loved Him before the 
foundation of the world, we must necessarily infer that the 
Heavenly Union had subsisted between Father and Son 
from all Eternity. The force, Propriety and importance 
of the Apostle's declaration concerning the Infinite Love 
of God to us, in " so loving us, to give His only begotten 
Son," are derived from the plain supposition, that His Son 
had a previous existence in his Divine Person, before He 
assumed human nature. In this gift, God's amazing love 
to us was manifested on the highest scale. 

The Scriptures repeatedly speak in the highest terms of 
the Condescension of Christ in taking human nature upon 
Him. It was indeed the greatest condescension in God to 
become man; but it could neither be condescension nor 
humiliation in a mere man to be born to the condition and 
infirmities of human nature. If, therefore, Christ was not 
Divine, before he took our nature upon Him, he could not 
possibly shew any thing like humility in being human. But 
in this great descent, " Christ made Himself of no reputa- 
tion, and took upon Himself the form of a servant." A 
plain proof that He possessed reputation, and was originally 
not a servant. 

From all these incontestable proofs, and many more that 
might be adduced, it is clearly evident that Christ is a Di- 
vine Person ; so that his Divinity has a fair and candid claim 
on our Faith. He is repeatedly declared to have assumed 
human nature, by taking it into personal union with His 
Divine Nature, and so becoming Immanuel,or God among 
us. 

To every candid enquirer after Truth, it must plainly 
appear, that all the various accounts which the Scriptures 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



give of Christ, accord With his having a Divine Nature, be- 
fore He assumed the nature of man. No text in the Bible, 
when rightly understood, contradicts this. Nor can the 
accounts which we have of Christ in his various characters 
be consistent with each other, if He be not God as well as 
man. It is the truth of this that we are concerned in, and 
not the mystery. 

The Deity is, in every sense of the word, Incomprehen- 
sible. We, creatures of a day, and possessed of scanty ca- 
pacities, are altogether unequal to the comprehension of a 
Time that never began, called Eternity past, or of a Being 
who is Self-existent, and not indebted to another for his 
existence. We know little of that Omniscience, which 
knows every thing ; and from the notice of which nothing 
can possibly escape ; or of that Omnipotence which can do 
or command all things. Faith in the infallible testimony 
of Divine Truth, is the great and solid foundation on which 
we are to build. As well may a man attempt to apply the 
contracted line of his little mind, to measure Immensity. — 
God has declared his Truth, by witnesses who have sealed 
that Troth with their blood, attesting it firmly with their 
last breath, even when chained to the block, and burning 
at the stake. 

After the death of the Apostles, and other primitive wit- 
nesses of the great Truths and Doctrines of the Christian 
Religion, the Articles of Faith, which are scattered through 
the New Testament, were collected into summaries, and 
called Creeds, or public professions of the Christian Faith. 
The leading truth of each Creed is, " 1 believe in One God, 
as subsisting, without confusion, in Three distinct, Divine 
Persons, of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. All professors 
of the Religion of Christ, were baptized in the Name of this 
Trinity in Unity. They were blest, or commended to God 
by the public teacher, wishing them at the conclusion of 
their religious service, 44 The grace of Our Lord Jesus 
Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy 
Ghost. 

The primitive Christians and Fathers of the Church, not 
only believed and professed that Christ is the True God, 
but surrendered life itself, and all its conveniences, rather 
than deny this. They professed and maintained that Jesus 
Christ did subsist before his birth in this world, being the Son 
of God, of the same Divine Essence with the Father, sub- 
sisting with Him from all Eternity. 

When the Jews accused the primitive Christians of Ido- 
latry in worshipping Christ, and paying all divine honours 
to Him, they were answered thus, u We acknowledge and 



» 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST, 



25 



confess, that we worship Christ as God : but we deny that 
o-.ir worship of Christ is Idolatry, because Christ whom 
we worship is "the true God." 

The Heathens taxed the Primitive Christians with 
" Adoring Jesus Christ:" — The Christians neither denied 
the Charge, nor did they tax the Heathens with calumny, 
for bringing" this Charge against them ; but acknowledged 
openly and candidly, that, " they Worshipped Christ as 
God." The words of Arnobius, a Christian of that period, 
are very fall and very clear on this point; — " We Worship 
Christ, because He is really and truly God, without any 
ambiguity or equivocation." 

When Celsus reproached Origen with " Worshipping 
Christ as God," Origeri replied, " Let our accusers know, 
that the reason of our Worship, is this, because we believe 
that Jesus Christ is God ; the Word of G od, the Son of God, 
and therefore the great object of Divine Worship.'* 

When any Teachers arose in the Church, who believed 
themselves " wiser than that which was written, " and at- 
tempted to injure the fundamental Doctrine of Christ's 
Divinity, by undermining it, or putting a false gloss upon 
it, they were disowned by the Church, and rejected from 
the Holy Office. 

Origen in telling us what constitutes heresy, declares, 
" He is a heretic, who has false notions of our Lord Jesus 
Christ — Who denies that He is the God of every creature in 
the World, the Word, the Wisdom, and the beginning of 
the ways of God." 

The Fathers of the three first Centuries of the Christian 
Church, made invariable profession of adoring but one 
God ; yet they acknowledged at the the same time, that 
they adored the Son of God, and the Holy Ghost; those 
Three Persons constituting but One God, the Great Object 
of their Worship, 

Pliny's Letter concerning the worship of the Primitive 
Christians, witnesses, that " Those Christians assembled 
very frequently, even in times of severe persecution, when 
they had every thing to dread, to sing Hymns of Praise, 
and to Worship Christ as God." 

Justin Martyr, in his Apology for the Christians, ad- 
dressed to the Emperor Antoninus, expressly says, that 
" Christians religiously Worship Father, and Son, and Holy 
Spirit ; but considered this Worship, as the honour due and 
paid to One God, which Doctrine they received from 
Christ himself." 

When the Faithful in Christ, at Smyrna, were accused 
of paying divine honours to Poly carp, their Bishop, their 

D 



£8 A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 

assume our Nature, to be Born, and Live, and Die, for us 
Men, and for our Salvation, which is the great basis of the 
New Testament, expresses the Love of God in so striking 
a manner, that every man who receives this Doctrine, is 
constrained to surrender his heart unreservedly to God. 
The trembling fear of a Penitent Sinner, looking to Jesus, 
undertaking his cause, and Suffering in his stead, will be 
changed into fervent Love and Gratitude. Overwhelmed 
with the greatness of those benefits, he not only sacrifices 
his darling vices, but makes a grateful and affectionate sur- 
render of his whole heart. 

When we seriously consider the Infinite Love of God in 
giving His Only begotten Son for us, our minds must be 
wrought up to the highest pitch of gratitude and affection. 
We are called on, by this inestimable love manifested to us, 
to keep up constantly in our minds, the highest possible 
Honour, Esteem, and Veneration, for Him ; to Worship, 
and Adore H|m as the Great Supreme, the Creator and Pre- 
server, and (Tovernor of All Things ; to employ our whole 
Existence, and all our Powers and Faculties, in His Service 
and for His Glory. 

The Ever Memorable Sacrifice, which was once offered 
up, in the Person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, as a propitiation 
ior our Sins, is wonderfully calculated to produce the most 
Divine effects. It is a guard against evil, as well as a stimu- 
lus to all good. It sets forth in the strongest and clearest 
light, the dreadful malignity of sin :, it shews the Infi- 
nite Compassion of God, in so overwhelming a manner, 
that while it fills us with horror for sin, it triumphs over the 
obduracy of our hearts, and gains a complete ascendency. 
From the moment we come to a right view of this great 
Sacrifice, we perceive a Divine change from Satan to God, 
insomuch, that we begin to die to sin and live to righ- 
teousness. 

When we consider the character in which our Lord 
Jesus Christ appeared among Men we cannot but feel to 
the centre of the Soul. In all His behaviour, He was with- 
out guile. His Life was Innocent and Spotless, spent en- 
tirely in promoting the great ends of Charity. He was con- 
stantly employed in doing good to the souls and bodies of 
men. He exhorted Sinners to Repentance, and earnestly 
invited them to attend to the great concerns of their Ever- 
lasting Peace. When His bitterest enemies accused and 
reproached Him, they could not charge Him with any vice 
or immorality, but with laying claim to the Divine Nature, 
in making Himself the Son of God. If we only consider 
the answers which He gave to all questions that were put to 



A 5KRM0N ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



29 



Him, both of a moral and captious nature, His occasional 
Discourses to bis Disciples, His Sermon on the Mount, 
which was a summary of His Doctrine, surpassing the moral 
instructions of the most celebrated philosophers, and all 
His other Instructions, we can hardly forbear crying out, 
" That He taught as never man taught, and that by this also, 
we perceive that He came forth from God." 

If a man allow himself to be robbed of those Consoling 
and Sanctifying Doctrines, which are written and contained 
in the Gospel, for us Men, and for our Salvation, he is left 
immediately, either in the stupid insensibility of those, who 
give themselves up to carnal security, or in the perplexity 
of others, who are crying, " What shall we do to be 
saved, ' without receiving a satisfactory answer. One or 
other of those awful states must be experienced in different 
degrees, by every man who is unacquainted with (he effi- 
cacy of Evangelical Doctrines, and knows not the heart- 
cheering " Truth, as it is in Christ.'* 

The Christian Religion, as taught in the Holy Scriptures, 
has all the marks and proofs of its being actually an d truly 
a Divine Revelation. All the duties which it enjoins are 
such as tend to give glory to God in the highest, and con- 
duce to the happiness and well-being of men. All the 
doctrines it teaches, instruct men in the will of God con- 
cerning them, the high privileges to which they are called ; 
and the easy and gracious conditions on which they are 
suspended. The motives by which the Christian Religion 
is recommended to men's belief and practice ; and all the 
peculiar circumstances, with which it is attended, are such 
as are suitable to the Wisdom of God, and fitted to purify 
the hearts, and reform the lives of men. In the Faith and 
Precepts of the Gospel of Christ, will appear, whatsoever 
things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, 
virtuous and praise-worthy. These Divine Doctrines and 
Precepts are not only laid down, but enforced with a most 
Divine Efficacy, founded upon the most consistent princi- 
ples, urged with the greatest weight and authority, and 
pressed with the most powerful and affecting arguments. 

Every true believer ought to set the highest value on Di- 
vine Truth, and in vindicating its honours, be able to say, 
" Thus saith the Lord ;" that its purity and integrity may 
be protected against all innovation, by giving clearness of 
Scriptural Proof, and soundness of rational Argument. A 
conviction that the subject is important, must help to over- 
come reluctance, and stir us up to the saving knowledge of 
the Truth. Pure and Undefiled Christianity, like the Sun 
in the firmament, discovers itself bv its own lustre. It 



so 



A SEItMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 



shines with clear light on the sincere and devout mind, and 
will bring with it, a high measure of the Glory of God, in 
the face of Jesus Christ. What a shame that a modish un- 
belief should darken counsel by words without knowledge, 
and attempt to reduce pure and primitive Christianity to 
positive Idolatry. It is true, the modern Socinian does not 
in the literal sense, " crucify the Son of God, and put Him 
to open shame ;" but he acts a part altogether as treacherous. 
Like Pilate, he will wash his hands, and say, " I am free 
from the blood of this Just Man." Nevertheless, he is de- 
termined, like the Jews, that '« This Man shall not reign 
over him." Nay, he will try upon what part of his charac- 
ter he can fasten a deadly fly ; and to complete his incon- 
sistency, he will, the next hour, baptize in the name of Fa- 
ther, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

What a consolation must it afford an individual concerned 
about the things of his Everlasting Peace, to know upon 
sound and Scriptural Authority, " That God was in Christ 
reconciling the World unto Himself;'' and that such a 
Sacrifice or Expiation for Sin, has been offered up by our 
Lord Jesus Christ, as affords a sufficient testimony of His 
Infinite Love to us. 

How reviving also is the thought, that there is a Mediator 
between God and man, through, and by whom, the prayers 
of penitent sinners may be offered up, so as to bo accepta- 
ble in the sight of God. Having this confidence, it is cur 
privilege " to come with boldness to the Throne of Grace, 
that we may receive Mercy, and find Grace to help us in 
time of need." 

Some persons may, perhaps, enquire how the Son of God 
should become Incarnate, and unite his Divine Nature 
which he originally possessed, with his Human Nature, 
which he assumed ? In answering this question, we are not 
to suppose that the Divine Nature of Christ was contained 
in the human, so as to be circumscribed by it. For while 
He had his residence upon earth, He could say at the same 
time, that " He was in heaven." Nor are we to suppose 
that his Divine Nature suffered in and with the Human. — 
The two natures were so united in one Person, that the 
sufferings of the Human Nature, acquired an infinite value 
by its union with the Divine. There is no more unreason- 
ableness in believing the Union of Christ's Divine and Hu- 
man Natures, than in believing the union of soul and body 
in the >ame person, or any other Truth which implies no 
contradiction. 

The Apologists and Defenders of pure and Primitive 
Christianity have not been few , or without character or 



A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRTST. $\ 

abilUy. Men "of the greatest powers, natural and acquired^ 
have boldly and publicly engaged themselves in this great 
cause. They have repelled assaults by the best defences, 
and demonstrated the truth of the Christian Religion, by 
the soundest and strongest arguments. While those de- 
fences cannot but produce the best effects upon the candid 
and impartial mind, it would be well to bring the heart and 
life under its influence ; to touch the trembling fibres 
of the conscience ; and while the understanding is con- 
vinced, to affect the heart also. If any person should be 
inclined to stray like a wandering sheep, he is called on to 
return to the Great Shepherd and Bishop of souls. If but 
one suggestion should be communicated through the me- 
dium of these sheets, the humble and sincere service of the 
writer shall not be in vain, but abundantly repaid. The 
hope of this is sufficient to inspire an ardour which will tri- 
umph over timidity itself. 

Though the Redemption purchased by the Son of God, 
be not yet actually made known to all men ; yet, as no man 
can deny, but that the benefit of the death of Christ extend- 
ed backward to those who lived before His appearance in 
the world ; so, none can prove, but that the same benefit 
will likewise extend itself forward to those who never 
heard of his appearance, though they live after it. The 
Gospel of Christ has a powerful tendency to answer this 
groat end. It is awful, interesting, and divinely operative. 
None of its Doctrines are calculated for the gratification 
of men's idle curiosity, amusing them with airy and useless 
speculations ; much less were they intended for the exercise 
of our credulity, or as a trial how far we can bring our reason 
to submit to our Faith. But as they are plain and simple, 
and such as by their agreeableness to the rational faculties 
of mankind, highly recommend themselves to our belief, so 
also they have an immediate relation to practice, and are 
the genuine principles and foundations, upon which all 
Human and Divine Virtues are to be built ; Jesus Christ 
himself being the Great and Immoveable Foundation. 

In a word, the claims of Christ are Universal. His own 
words carry a weight of conviction with them. *< All that 
the Father hath, are mine." If Christ were not the True 
God, he could not have said these words without blasphemy. 
" All Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine, 1 ' are strong 
claims. All are His property and possession. The Nature, 
Attributes and Honours of God are His. As all men are to 
honour the Son even as they honour the Father, we see that 
we owe Him Adoration, Affection, Reverence and Obe- 
dience. This solemn duty reaches to all Christians. All 



0 020 517 333 A 

32 A SERMON ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. 

are to be warmly engaged in this Holy Service. The mea- 
sure of comparison in honouring 1 the Son is " even as they 
honour the Father:" that is, with all inward reverence, 
and all outward homage and obedience, under all the 
changes, and through all the periods of existence. 

Now, as God has afforded us so many and certain Proofs 
of the truth of the Christian Religion, as touching the Di- 
vinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, a small part of which has 
been shewn in this Discourse, such as read it with true can- 
dour, are exhorted to believe, not what has no Scriptural 
Foundation, but what is proved by the most positive evi- 
dence of Scriptural Texts and Contexts, repeated and 
multiplied. No man of reason can pretend to say, but 
that God may require us to take notice of these things at 
our peril, enquire into them, and consider them seriously 
and deeply. As God has vouchsafed us all that evidence 
which was fit for Him to grant, or reasonable for men to 
desire, carelessness, or prejudice, will not be able to hide 
themselves behind the most specious pretexts. 

To conclude: Let us witness a good confession for our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He confessed us before 
the tribunal of Pontius Pilate. He also promises that the 
faithful Confessor shall be confessed by Him, before His 
Father and the Holy Angels, Let us never forget the 
great end of his condescension, in assuming our Nature, 
namely, to make us holy here* and happy hereafter. — 
Blessed are such as live to Him for a moment in the present 
state of probation ; that they may live with Him for Ever, 
in a state of Infinite Reward, and Approbation. They 
shall be made inexpressibly happy. As rational and moral 
creatures they shall possess the knowledge of all that is great, 
lovely, and engaging • a capacity to enjoy true felicity, 
pure from the source, in all its numbers, weights and mea- 
sures ; a rapid and progressive advancement in all the 
heights and depths of celestial attainment; and the full 
and overflowing enjoyment of this true blessedness* 
secured to them for Ever and Ever. In all the heights 
of Glory, they will remember and never forget their 
Heavenly Friend and Advocate ; that His Pains procured 
their ease, His Death their life, His Poverty their riches, 
His Shame and Derision their Everlasting Glory. Hail! 
Celestial Goodness ! When this Amazing Love is Sung in 
Heavenly Strains, through Ages of Ages, even for Ever and 
Ever, may we have some part, however humble, ki the Im- 
mortal Anthem. Amen I Amen! 

FINIS. 



Joha Jone*, Piintei, 40, South Great George's street. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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